Aspen Art: Three Must-See Shows

This winter, Aspen lures heavy-hitters as well as the best and brightest of the contemporary art scene
Silwan, East Jerusalem by Thomas Struth

ASPEN ART MUSEUM

Photographs by Thomas Struth

Acclaimed German artist Thomas Struth takes over Gallery 1 for the first time with 18 monumental photographs of Israel and Palestine, depicting street views, sites of technological research, and family portraits taken between 2009 and 2014. Vivid and emotional, the works are set against the political climes of East Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Golan Heights, Nazareth and other locales. Jan. 19-June 10, 637 E Hyman Ave., 970.925.8050, aspenartmuseum.org

Flower painting by Ross Bleckner

BALDWIN GALLERY

Ross Bleckner and Matthew Ritchie

The two-level exhibition space features ten small (10” x 8”) oil paintings by Ross Bleckner as well as ten larger paintings (50” x 52”) by Matthew Ritchie, an artist who bases his paintings on equations and diagrams that he constructs, involving history, science, mathematics, and cultural ideas of all kinds. December 26, 2017–February 11, 2018; opening reception, December 26, 6-8pm, with the artist Matthew Ritchie in attendance. 209 South Galena St., Aspen, 970.920.9797, baldwingallery.com

Atmosphere No. 84 by Ian Fisher

THE ART BASE

Paintings by Ian Fisher

Throughout art history, the sky has been a frequent subject, depicted in all its multi-varied hues and textures. Ian Fisher’s sky paintings resonate with idealism as well as the sublime, attempting to capture the elusive nature of our celestial mantle. Jan. 12-Feb. 3; 99 Midland Ave., Basalt, Colorado, 970.927.4123, theartbase.org